Submitted

Mon, Jul 10th 2017 12:55 pm

Math and social justice, the physics of music, and how teaching the arts in classrooms helps students overcome trauma are just a few of the topics that will be discussed at the 2017 STEAM Conference, Aug. 7-8, co-presented by the Education Collaborative of WNY and WNY STEM, and sponsored by General Motors Tonawanda Engine and SUNY Buffalo State.

The STEAM Conference features two days of workshops and learning experiences geared to educators from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 and higher education, teaching artists, informal STEM providers, teacher preparation students and parents with the goal to inspire innovation and ingenuity in teaching science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.

The WNY STEAM Conference was created four years ago by educators who were looking for a venue to share ideas that inspire learning in students and teachers alike. Since then, it has grown into a premier education event that brings together many different people from both the education and industry realms that share a vested interest in the success of all students.

"WNY STEM Hub embraces the arts as an impactful component of an integrated, high-quality STEM learning environment. Many people ask us, 'What might that look like?' This conference provides answers while modeling inspiring examples of STEAM learning across settings," said Michelle Kavanaugh, Ed.D., president of WNY STEM.

The conference opens Monday, Aug. 7, with a presentation by a design/engineering team from General Motors. Attendees will then attend four sessions from among 37 different topics.

On Tuesday morning, attendees will participate in a morning immersive experience from 9-11 a.m. at either BAK USA's headquarters, the Buffalo Museum of Science Make Shift Workshop, the Burchfield Penney Art Center at Buffalo State, or AW Miller Technical Sales in East Aurora. These focused experiences include a tour, discussion and hands-on learning. The attendees will reconvene at noon at General Motors Tonawanda Engine Plant for lunch and a tour.

Registration is $25 per person until July 14, when it increases to $35. More information is found at www.edcowny.org.

The WNY STEM Hub is an incorporated nonprofit with over 700 individual members representing nearly 300 organizations in Western New York. It is an initiative of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County and is affiliated with the National STEM Funders Network, the national STEMx network and the Empire State STEM Learning Network. Its aim is to create awareness and partnerships that serve learners of all ages in accessing STEM/STEAM learning and careers. Visit wnystem.org for details.

The Education Collaborative of Western New York consortium includes schools for young women, schools for young men and co-educational schools. Among the 15 Education Collaborative of Western New York schools are 11 Catholic schools and four non-sectarian schools. All Education Collaborative of Western New York schools establish high academic standards for comprehensive college preparation while fostering high achievement, and educate the whole student by offering a wide variety of programming, including clubs, music, fine arts, community service and leadership, and athletics. Small classes afford individual attention, and ethical and moral guidance. High behavioral expectations lead to fewer discipline problems, a greater sense of security and increased time for faculty to focus on academics.